Miranda Lambert made one of the standout moments of the 2026 ACM Awards on May 17 with the first-ever live performance of her new track “Crisco.” The show, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, featured Lambert as both a major nominee and one of the night’s early performers, reinforcing her long-standing presence in country music’s biggest award ceremonies.
Lambert’s appearance came shortly after the release of “Crisco” on May 15, marking the song as her first project under her new label MCA. In pre-release comments, she described the track as a blend of familiar country influences and a more experimental sound inspired by 1970s and 1980s music. Rather than relying on traditional country arrangements alone, she incorporated a more rhythmic, disco-influenced style while still keeping elements of classic country storytelling.
On stage at the ACM Awards, Lambert performed “Crisco” in a rhinestone-covered denim outfit. The staging focused on movement and energy rather than elaborate visuals, with Lambert actively engaging the audience as she moved across the stage. The performance was positioned early in the ceremony, helping set a lively tone for the rest of the night’s lineup.
The performance also reflected Lambert’s continued recognition within the Academy of Country Music Awards. She entered the ceremony with multiple nominations, including top categories such as Female Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. While the awards race drew attention, her live performance was widely viewed as one of the more anticipated musical moments of the broadcast.
“Crisco” itself represents a slight stylistic shift in Lambert’s catalog. Known primarily for traditional-leaning country and emotionally grounded songwriting, she uses this release to explore a lighter, more groove-oriented sound. The production emphasizes rhythm and strings, aligning with her stated interest in drawing from artists like Glen Campbell and the classic country-pop crossover era. While still rooted in country, the song shows an openness to broader sonic influences without abandoning her core identity as a songwriter.
Audience reaction during the performance suggested curiosity about this new direction, particularly as Lambert balanced her established stage persona with a more playful, danceable track. The ACM setting, known for celebrating both tradition and innovation in country music, provided a fitting platform for that transition.
Overall, the debut of “Crisco” at the 2026 ACM Awards functioned less as a dramatic reinvention and more as a controlled expansion of Lambert’s sound. It highlighted her willingness to experiment while remaining anchored in the genre that built her career.
Source: Compiled from various sources
